MA Program Description

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Advisor: Dr. Carlos Alberto Sanchez

The M. A. in philosophy may be pursued through one of three plans. The plan with thesis
is the most traditional and is particularly appropriate for students who wish to pursue
a formal written project under close faculty supervision in preparation for a later
dissertation at a Ph.D. granting institution. The second plan, called the Reading
Intensive plan, is particularly appropriate for students who are pursuing the M. A.
for personal enrichment. Students who wish to go on to a Ph.D. program may also use
it, for example if they believe that focusing on writing a publishable paper would
be more valuable than finishing a Master's Thesis. (It is becoming common for Ph.D.
programs not to require an M.A. thesis, and for employers to expect some publications
even before completing the Ph.D.) The third plan, with the Applied Philosophy Project,
fits well with the concept of San Jose State as a metropolitan university. It connects
philosophy in a systematic manner to professional life in Silicon Valley. Students
who follow this plan frequently come from the community to reflect, in a sustained
and rigorous way, on the ethical, social, and epistemological aspects of their work
in the professional and business world. They, then, return to the community with an
enriched perspective, a firm commitment to philosophy, and stronger ties to San Jose
State.

Requirements

units

Core Courses (12)

Phil 290*, 291, 292, and 293 or 157

Elective Courses (12)

100 or 200 level, within the Department**

Plan (select one below) (6)

Total Units: 30*****

Plan A - Option 1: Thesis

Phil 298 (directed reading in support of the thesis)

Phil 299 (thesis and oral defense)***

Plan A - Option 2: Applied Philosophy Project

Phil 298 (directed project in applied philosophy)

Phil 299 (project report and oral defense) ***

Plan B - Reading Intensive

200-level course (on advisement)

Phil 298 (directed reading in support of independent study) ***

Comprehensive Examination****

* Fulfills University graduate requirement in “written English.”

** One or more of 290, 291, 292 and 293 may be repeated as electives when the course
content is different.

**** Taken after the bulk of the core and elective courses is completed. Given the
third Friday of each semester, 1:00 to 4:00 PM. A reading list and sample questions
are on file in the Department Office.

***** On approval, when relevance to the candidate's degree can be demonstrated, up
to 6 of the 30 units may be from prior post-baccalaureate course work or from course
work taken outside the Department during the MA program, who wish to provide a basis
for work in an area of applied philosophy.